Rebar Protection

September 20, 2018

Steel reinforcement bars, or rebar, is a common construction site hazard. Workers must always be aware of rebar around them to prevent injuries. The protruding end of rebar can cause impalement which may lead to serious internal injuries or even death. Construction sites should always have some form of rebar protection to promote worker safety.

OSHA Rebar Requirements

According to OSHA Section 1926.701(b), “All protruding reinforcing steel, onto and into which employees could fall, shall be guarded to eliminate the hazard of impalement.” OSHA requires that rebar protection is in place whenever workers have the potential of being injured by protruding rebar.

Avoiding Rebar Hazards

To protect workers from impalement, the ends of the steel reinforcement bars should have caps on them. These caps will prevent cuts, scratches, and piercing from rebar. In addition to caps, rebar can also be bent so that the protruding end is pointing to the ground to prevent impalement. If caps are unable to be used, rebar should be flagged or clearly marked with fluorescent paint to alert employees of the hazard.

It is important to keep in mind that when employees are working at height above protruding rebar, fall protection is the first line of defense against impalement. Employees should always wear proper fall protection when working in high places.

Training employees on rebar safety is important. Make sure that workers are always wearing proper PPE and fall protection to minimize injuries. Teach your workers the importance of being aware of their surroundings. Injuries from rebar are more likely to occur when personnel are not paying close attention to the hazards around them.

Rebar Caps from TSCSE

At Total Safety Consulting Southeast, we want to improve the safety of your jobsite. We provide and install rebar caps to help protect workers from rebar hazards. Our team of professionals understands the safety regulations put forth by OSHA and can help you be in compliance with standards. We can also provide safety training and a wide variety of site safety solutions.

If you need rebar protection or if you’re interested in learning more about our site safety solutions, contact us today.

TSC Southeast is a fully insured, full-service General Contractor providing turnkey construction safety solutions in South Florida. We specialize in the fabrication and installation of temporary and comprehensive jobsite protection packages, as well as providing safety training and consulting for major commercial, municipal and residential construction projects.